The first week of September is packed with food and drink events as the city wakes up from its summer lull. Get into the action with the opening of an expansive Latin food hall, the kickoff to D.C. Beer Week, an upscale French dinner and more on this week’s calendar.
Ballston gets a new beer hall
The chef behind Barley Mac and Don Tito is debuting his latest Northern Virginia concept this week. Bronson Bier Hall will open in Ballston on Friday with American and German beer and plenty of food from those cuisines, too: Think potato and bacon pierogies, roasted chicken, and giant pretzels. There’s room for around 300 people in the sprawling space, so come unwind with foosball and darts along with planned live music on weekends. (4100 Fairfax Dr., opens Friday)
Free lobster
Ease into the weekend with a chance at a free lobster roll at Slapfish in Dupont Circle. The sustainable and fast-casual seafood shack opened earlier this summer and is welcoming the first 100 customers through the door on Friday with a free lobster roll. (1800 M St. NW, Friday, 11 a.m., FREE while supplies last)
Cocktails to honor black bartenders
Allegory cocktail bar at the Eaton DC hotel is debuting a new drink menu on Friday to honor some of the best black bartenders—both from across American history and working in D.C. today. The drinks were created to piggyback off artist Khalil Joseph’s BLKNWS exhibition being shown in the hotel lobby. Honorees with their own signature cocktails include Lauren Paylor of Dos Mamis (whose Loco Bananas is made with Catoctin Creek, rum, banana, lime and bitters), Al Thompson of Hanumanh (his Tears From a Thousand Swords includes rum, lemon, ginger, pineapple, cinnamon, and allspice), and Kapri Robinson of Reliable Tavern (with the Nella Fossa, made with gin, bitter liqueur, lemon, and orange blossom). Proceeds will go to Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit helping adults and children improve their literacy skills. (1201 K St. NW, Friday onward, $14 and up)
Welcome, La Cosecha
La Cosecha, D.C.’s new Latin food hall, is throwing an opening bash this Saturday with lots of live music, food and family-friendly activities. The all-day block party will have tastings from a variety of vendors, including Peruvian Brothers, Amparo, and La Casita. Admission is free, and alcohol will be available for purchase. (1280 4th St. SE, Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., free entry)
An urban tailgate party
The college football season is underway, and U Street’s Franklin Hall will have everything needed this Saturday for a marathon day of watching, eating, and drinking. Crack open $4 Narragansett beers and fill up on hot dogs, ribs, chicken sandwiches, and cookout-inspired sides. Food will be sold a la carte or as combo platters. (1348 Florida Ave. NW, Saturday, 11:30 a.m. onward, a la carte)
Gelato dreams
The Gelato Festival America, which travels across the country showcasing an area’s best gelato, rolls into D.C. this weekend for two days of frozen goodness. Come down to City Market at O in Shaw for unlimited tastes of gelato from area producers, and you can also vote for your favorite. Find tickets online. (800 P St. NW, Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $15 for kids)
D.C. Beer Week kickoff
Bluejacket brewery is hosting the official start of D.C. Beer Week on Sunday with a special release and guest tap takeover. Come for a taste of Solidarity Beer 2019, a traditional German kellerbier lager that is the official beer of the festival. Red Bear, 3 Stars, DC Brau, and other local brewers will have full pours and samples for purchase. (300 Tingey St. SE, Sunday at noon, free entry)
Cocktails to honor black bartenders
Allegory cocktail bar at the Eaton DC hotel is debuting a new drink menu on Friday to honor some of the best black bartenders—both from across American history and working in D.C. today. The drinks were created to piggyback off artist Khalil Joseph’s BLKNWS exhibition being shown in the hotel lobby. Honorees with their own signature cocktails include Lauren Paylor of Dos Mamis (whose Loco Bananas is made with Catoctin Creek, rum, banana, lime and bitters), Al Thompson of Hanumanh (his Tears From a Thousand Swords includes rum, lemon, ginger, pineapple, cinnamon, and allspice), and Kapri Robinson of Reliable Tavern (with the Nella Fossa, made with gin, bitter liqueur, lemon, and orange blossom). Proceeds will go to Washington Informer Charities, a non-profit helping adults and children improve their literacy skills. (1201 K St. NW, Friday onward, $14 and up)
Dinner in Provence
Splurge on dinner next week with a celebration of Provencal French cuisine at DBGB DC. Master chef Daniel Bouloud will be in the kitchen along with Bertrand Chemel of 2941 to cook a four-course menu with wine pairings. The meal will start with a nicoise salad before moving toward a duo of lamb and finishing with a fig and pine nut tarte with olive oil ice cream. Reservations can be made online. (931 H St. NW, Tuesday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., $125 plus tax and gratuity)
Supra’s new lunch special
Get away from the desk with the new $20 Georgian lunch special at Supra. The Shaw restaurant is offering a two-course lunch plus dessert or a glass of wine from its unique list. It’s designed to fit inside an hour, with options like khachapuri, stuffed eggplant, speads, sandwiches, and more. (1205 11th St. NW, Tuesday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., $20)
Grapes, apes and more
Tickets are now on sale for next Thursday’s Zoo Uncorked wine tasting event at the National Zoo. Taste nearly three dozen wines while experiencing animal encounters, entertainment and food from Capmac, Red Hook Lobster pound and other area food trucks. VIP and general admission passes can be purchased online, with discounts for zoo members. (3001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Thursday Sept. 12, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., $70-$115)
